Bottle-washing apparatus



May 2, 1933. A. J. DAVIS BOTTLE WASHING APPARATUS Filed April 16, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet l 7.7 73' J4 73 53 4e A i; i y 1 .53 J4 May 2, 1933. A' J. DAVIS 1,906,548

BOTTLE WASHING APPARATUS Filed April 16, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 2, i933. A J DAVls 1,906,548

BT'ILE WASHlNG APPARATUS Filed April 16, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 2, 1933. A v1 DAVlS 1,906,548

BOTTLE WASHING APPARATUS a :M AA

lier man g www Patented May 2, 1933` l UNITED ESTATES ALFRED DAVIS, F MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA BOTTLE-WASHING APPARATUS j i Application med April 1e, 1930. serialY No. 444,694. j j

' My invention has for its object to provide a highly efficientV washing apparatus intended for general use but especially lwell adapted for washing bottles and more particularly milk and cream bottles.

To the above end, the invention consists ofA the novel devices and combinations of devices hereinafter described and defined in the claims. j l

In the accompanyingdrawings, which illustrate the invention, like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.y

Referring to the drawings: y

Fig. 1 is a left side elevation of the bottle washing apparatus, some parts being broken away and other parts being sectioned;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary rear elevation;

Fig. 3 is a view principally in transverse y vertical section taken onf the line 3 3 of FiO'. 1;

Fig. 4 is a View principally in vertical sec-r tion taken on the'line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

f Fig.'5 is a viewpartly in right side elevation and partly in vertical section taken on the line 5--5V of Fig. 3; e

Fig. 6 is a view partly inplan and partly in horizontal section taken substantially on the line 6`-6 of Fig. 5;

Figs; 7, 8 and 9 are fragmentarydetail views with some parts sectioned on the lines 7 7, 8-8 and 9-9, respectively, of Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary detail View in section taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. 3, on an enlarged scale; and

Fig. 11- is an enlarged sectional view of the external spraying nozzle.

The` numeral 12 indicates ak horizontally disposed cylindrical drum-like lcasing comprising upper and lower semi-cylindrical sections, the latter of which extendsinto a' skeleton-like frame 13 from the top thereof and is rigidly held therein. The joint between the two sections of the casing 12 is at j the axis thereof and top of the frame 13 and includes reinforcing angle irons 14 the hori-l zontal fianges of which are turned outward and detachably connected by bolts.

Withinthe casing. V12 arek two laterally spaced partitions 15 which divide the casing into a washing compartment -16,`at the right side thereof, a rinsing or intermediate com-V partment 17 and a sterilizing and drying compartment 18 at the left side thereof. On the right side of the lower section of the cas-` ing 12 and formed in part therewith isa reservoir 19, see Figs. 3 and 5,'providedl with a displaceable cover k20 having a cappingv flange which holds the same in position'.

Extending transversely through the casing 12 at 'the axis thereof is a fixed inner shaft 2lfthe end portions of which are mount' ed in two-part bearings 22 on the lower section ofthe casing 12. The left'hand bearing 22 is frictionally clamped on the respective end ofthe shaft 21 and holds the same from turning. Nuts 23 on the outer ends of the shaft `21 hold said shaft against end thrusts. f

Formed with the shaft 21 in each compartment 16, 17 and 18 is alarge annular boss 24 7 the peripheryof which aords a valve seat 25 lfor aring valve 26 turnably mounted thereon.v A'tubular shaft 27 is turnably mounted on the shaft 21 and the sides of its bosses 24.

, This tubular shaft 27 comprises axially spaced sections between which the ring valves 26 are mountedand connected thereto by pins 28 for common rotation therewith, see Fig. 3. TheV inner end of the tubularl shaft 27 terminates at the inner face of the left hand bearing 22 andthe outer end thereof ris journaled in the respective bearing 22 and on the fixed shaft 21 and extends outward thereof to the adjacent lock nut 23.

The 'partitions 15 are providedwith lannular seats 29 in whichthe tubular shaft 27, between its bosses 24, is mounted with a turningl fit and which seats form tight joints between said shaft and partitions.

Keyed to the tubular shaft 27 between thev right fhand bearing 22 and adjacent lock nut 23 is a relatively large ratchet wheel 30 for imparting steps of rotary movement to said shaft. The. tubular shaft 27 is longi vtudiually divided for application around the fixed shaft 21 and the members thereof are detachablyconnected by ears arid screws 27.

The ring valves 26 afford hubs for wheellike bottle carriers 31, 32 and 33y in the compartments 16, 17 and 18, respectively. Y Each soA bottle carrier in addition to its valve includes an annular rim and tubular radial spokes 33. Each bottle carrier further includes on its rim radially projecting transverse partitions 34 eircumferentially spaced to form pockets 35 therebetween for individually holding milk bottles X.

Each partition 34 circumferentially of the bottle carried is U-shaped and its legs have on 'their ends outwardly and laterally projecting feet which rest on the periphery of the rim and are rigidly secured thereto. The legs of the partitions 34 at their feet are drawn together so that the sides of the adj acent pockets 35 are substantially parallel and snugly hold a bottle X therebetween and in axial alignm-ent'with the respective tubular spoke which affords a conduit, as will presently appear. Said partitions 34 are spaced from the casing 12 for free circulation of water, steam and air around the bottles X held therein during their movement through the apparatus.

It is important to note by reference to Fig. 4, that there is a pocket 35 for each spoke and that adjacent feet in each pocket are spaced endwise from each otherto leave an open space therebetween. The two feet in each pocket 35 afford open seats 36 on which the tops of the bottles X rest and are held thereby out of contact with the rim of the bottle carrier to prevent the mouths of the bottles X from being closed.

The pockets 35 in the bottle carrier 31 during its rotation are successively brought into longitudinal alignment with an entrance passageway 37 in the casing 12 at the top thereof on the downwardly moving side of said bottle carrier, see Fig. 4. As the pockets 35A in the bottle carrier 31 are successively brought into registration with the entrance passageway 37 the operator inserts the bottles X therein. necks first, with their tops in-engagement with the seats 36. This bottle carrier 31 moves the bottles X through a cleansing fluid Y in the compartment 16 and after passing through this fluid are inverted by said carrier which drains the cleansing fluid therefrom. Y

The arrangement of the pipes 56 and 58 is such that the cleansing fluid Y is delivered to the nozzle during the down .stroke of the pump piston and to the nozzle 57 when their intake conduits 61 are in registration with the port 60.

Just before the bottles X in the bottle carrier 31 have made a complete rotation in the washing compartment 16 from the entrance passageway 37 they successively engagea transfer device 38 and are moved laterally thereby through a passageway 39 in the `right hand partition 15 and into the pockets 35 in the bottle carrier 32 in the rinsing compartment 17. This transfer device 38, as shown, comprises three radially spaced curved fingers secured to the right hand partition 15 at the passageway 39. Two of these lingers of the transfer' device 38 are shaped to engage the body of one of the bottles X and the other the neck thereof. The bottle carrier 32 moves the washed bottles X through a rinsing water Z in the compartment 17 and thereafter the rinsing water is drained therefrom in the same manner in which the cleansing fluid Y is drained from said bottles.

Before the bottles X in the bottle carrier 32 have made a complete rotation in the rinsing compartment 17 from the transfer device 38, the bottlesI X on said carrier successively engage a second transfer device 40, on the left hand partition 15 and identical with the transfer device 38, and are moved laterally thereby through a passageway 41 in the left hand partition 15 and into the pockets 35 in the bottle carrier 33 in the combined drying and sterilizing compartment 18.

After the bottles X on the bottle carrier 33 have made substantially a complete rotation in the combineddrying .and sterilizing compartment 18, from the transfer device 40, they engage a third transfer device 42 and are moved laterally thereby through a pz'issageway 43 in the left side of the casing 12 and into a cylindrical chute 44. The transfer device 42 yis also identical with the transfer device 33 and is secured to the left side of the casing 12. By the chute 4 4, which is outside of the casing 12 and on the left side thereof, the bottles X are conveyed by gravity to a distant point, sec Figs. 1 and 4. Deep transverse notches 34 are formed in the partitions 34 to atl'ord clearance for the fingers comprising the transfer devices 33, 40 and lt will thus e seen that bottles successively placed in the ajiiparatus through the passageway 37 are automatically carried first through the washing process, second, a rinsing process, third, a sterilizing and drying process and finally discharged from said apparatus.

Cooperating with the ratchet wheel 30 to impart .steps of rotary movement to the hottle carriers` which successively7` bring the pockets 35 in the bottle carrier 31 into alignment with the entrance passageway 37, is a spring-projeeted dog 45. This dogl 45 is carried by the right hand arm of a manually operated transverse handle bar 46n Both arms of the handle bar 46 are pivoted on the outer ends of the shaft 21 just inward of the nuts 23. The arrangement of the ratchet wheel 3() and cooperating dog 45 is such that said dog during the down stroke of the handle bar 46 will impart a step of rotary movement of the bottle carrier in the direction of the arrow marked in Fig. 4, and during the up stroke of said bar the dog 45 will ride over the ratchet wheel 30.

The cleansing fluid Y is containedv in the` predetermined level by an overflow pipe 18'v which extends upward intothe reservoir 19 through the bottom thereof andleads to a suitable point of disposal, see 3 and 5.

After the bottles X have been washed by the cleansing fluid Y and drained they are sprayed by a spraying system both externally and internally with he same fluid while in the compartment 16. This spraying system includes a doubleacting pump 19 mounted on the frame 13 under the casing 12, see Fig. 1, and includes an upright cylinder and cooperating piston the rod of which eX- tends upward through av stulling box inthe upper head of said cylinder and is connected by a long link 5() to the lefthand arm ofthe handle bar 41,6 andk by which handle bar the pump is reciprocated. The fluid intake for the pump 49 includes a pipe 51 the intake end of which is covered by .a strainer 52 in the reservoir 19 and leads from thebottomA of 'said reservoir, see Fig. 5. This pipe 51 is connected by a pair of branchpipes 53 to the heads of the pump cylinder on opposite sides of the piston and cach having a check valve 54. n

The external. spraying of the bottles X in the washing compartment 16 is performed by a nozzle 55 mounted in thetop ofv the easing 12 on the upwardly moving side of the bottle carrier 31 and connected by a longv pipe 56 to the pump cylinder through the lower head thereof.I see Fig. 1. This nozzle 55 successively sprays the bott-les X as they pass thereunder at the upwardly moving side of the bottle carrier 31 and at which time they are 'inclined in respect to the jets of cleansing fluid discharged from said nozzle and thereby efficiently externally cleansed.

The internal sprayingof the bottles X` starts prior to the external spraying thereof and continues thereafter and is performed. by a nozzle 57 for each bottle in the bottle car rier 31. sec Fig. 10. The nozzles 57 are mounted in the rim ofthe bottle carrier 31 and connected to the pump 49 by a pipe 53 which leads from the pump cylinder through its upper head, is tapped into the right hand end of the fixed shaft 21 and has communication with an axial conduit 59 in said shaft.' Formed in the shaft 21 at theA inner end ofl the conduit 59 is a radially extended circumvferentiallyY flaring port 60. Each tubular during the rotation of the ring valvey ofthe bottle carrier 31. It will thus .hel seen that the bottles X are internally sprayed during the period of time in Whichthe conduits 5 are in registration with the, port 60. Thel external and internal spraying-,ofthe bottles X inthe vbottle carrier 31 1s completed' by the time said bottles reach their uppermost positions in the compartment 16 and from this position'until theyQengagethe transfer device.y 38 the cleansing fluid Y is drained therefronrf.y -All cleansing fluid Y discharged fronrthexnozzles 55and 57 isreturned to the body of said fluid in the compartment 16.. The rinsing Water Z is supplied to the compartment 17 at thebottom .thereof through a pipe 62 leading froma suitabley source of.v

supply'7 not shown, and which pipe is normally closed by a valve 63.

Thewashed bottles X upon entering the rinsing compartment 17 are=moved by the bottle carrier 32 through the rinsing water Z and thereabove Where they are drained'in a manner similar to the draining ofthe washed bottles X in the compartment 17. After the draining of the rinsed bottlesV X they are sterilized by introducing dry steam therein through nozzles 64'mountedin the rim of the bottle-carrier 32 in the same mansterilizing the bottles Xis conveyed from 'a suitable source of supply, not shown, through al pipe 65 tap'pedintothe left hand end of the fixed shaft 21 and in communication with an axial conduit 66 in saidshaft. At the inner end ofthe conduit 66 is a port 67 of the same shape and. arrangement yas the port 60. From the port 67 steam is conveyed tothe nozzles 64 through conduits 68 inthe ring valve 26 and spokes 'of the bottle carrier 32. These conduits 68 are closed bythe seat for the respective ring valve 26 except when passing t-he port 67 during the rotation of the bottle carrier 32. The steam is cut olf from the conduits 68 bythe respective ring valve 26 after passing substantially the highest point of travel of the bottles X in the rinsing compartment 17 and thereafter any moisture, due to condensation, is drainedffrom the bot' tles X before reaching the transfer device 40.

A valve 69 is provided for closing the steam pipe 65 near its attachment to the shaft 21. The rinsed and sterilized bottles'are dried and further sterilized in the compartment 18 to which they are moved from the compart-V ment 17 by the transfer device 40. Dry steam is introduced into the bottles X from the conduit 66 through a port 70, in the shaft 21 and conduits 71 in the spokes of the bot- Y' tle carrier 33 and respective ring valve 26, and which conduits are brought into registration With the port 70 during the rotation of said ring valve. The port 70 has a much larger steam-conducting capacity than either ofthe ports 60 and 69and hence, the bottles Xin the compartment 18 have a longer period of sterilization than in the compartment 17.

The compartments 16, 17 and 18 may be individually drained through branch pipes 72V connected to a main drain pipe 7 3 leading to a suitable point of disposal. Each branch pipe 72 is provided Witha normally closed valve 73.

To individually cleanse and sterilize the drained compartments 16, 17 and 18 and the bottle carriers therein, branch steam `pipes 75 l lead from a steam pipe 65 and are connected one to each of the branch drain pipes 72 at the intake side of their valves 7 4. Each branch steam pipe 75 is provided with a normally closed valve 76.

What I claim is:

1. An apparatus of the class described comprising a casing, a revoluble hub mounted in the casing to turn about a horizontal `axis, circumferentlally spaced bottle pocket forming partitions on the hub, each of which is a fiat U-shaped member that extends transversely of the hub, the legs of the partitions at their free end portions being secured to the hub at the periphery thereof with the body of the partition extending radially therefrom, means for cleansing the bottles in the pockets, and a bottledeflector fixed in respect to the casing and extending into said casing transversely of the partitions, said partitions having transverse notches to afford clearance for the deflecting lingers during the rotation of the hub.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 in Which the legs of each partition are in converging relation and in Which the sides of each pocket are substantially parallel.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ALFRED J. DAVIS. 

